Snapshot Area Maps (SAMs)

OCO-3 uses the same instrument as OCO-2, but it has been adapted to work on the ISS. The OCO-3 instrument has an agile Pointing Mirror Assembly (PMA) that allows for rapid transitions in where the instrument observes. The PMA is used to collect Snapshot Area Maps (SAMs) which are data collections over ~80km by 80km obtained in about 2 minutes. The SAMs are collected to sample emission sources and gradients, areas where plants and crops are being studied, volcanos, and other local carbon sources from space. The PMA also allows for target mode observations, similar to those taken by OCO-2, typically at Total Column Carbon Observation Network (TCCON) ground sites for use in validation.

A centralized location for information on where and when OCO-3 collected SAMs and targets, data maps, and a method to get data can be found here - [External Link]

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